Almazan’s mammoth effort vs San Beda earns him NCAA Player of the Week nod

MANILA, Philippines - In the biggest game of the first round, lanky big man Raymond Almazan became a force in the paint to give Letran College a head up on the team standings.

The fourth year Bataan native registered 22 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots in their 74-67 victory against Season 88 finals tormentor San Beda College.

Almazan's Herculean effort against the three-time defending champions paid off, as he was named the ACCEL/3XVI NCAA Press Corps Player of Week backed by Gatorade.

Following the team's sub-par performance against Perpetual Help just nine days prior, and with the loss against the Red Lions still fresh in his mind, the 6-foot-8 beanpole put out all the stops to aid the Knights in the highly physical encounter.

"Noong alam ko na magtatapat kami ng (San) Beda, ang mindset ko talaga 'yung game last year (Finals). Gustong-gusto kong makabawi," said Almazan of his performance Saturday night.

Almazan beat out Perpetual Help teammates Juneric Baloria and Nosa Omorogbe for the Gatorade-backed weekly plum awarded by the country's sportswriters covering the league.

For the season, he has posted norms of 14.1 points, 15.3 rebounds, and 2.2 blocked shots per ballgame – all ranking within the top ten of the league's best in each category.

The win gave Letran (8-1) a one game lead over San Beda (7-2) to end their first round campaign.